Against All Odds

Chapter 3

"Do you think he would like it?" I ask, stepping away from my latest non-educational related project, brushing the pellets of sweat on my forehead.

"Of course he would. I'll hit him if he doesn't." 

"You do know that he's a lot muscular and taller than you, right?"

"Well, I don't care."

Even though Zack is taller than me, Josh is even more taller than me. I'm only about 5'7 and just by looking at Zack, I can tell that he's nearly 5'11. Maybe even 6 foot, for all I know. Josh is 6'2. He could be a swimwear supermodel or strutting on the runaways in Paris, Tokyo or Milan if he wanted too.

Unlike Zack, Josh has abs. Washboard abs. He works out in gyms if he isn't with me, which somewhat puzzles me sometimes. I mean, I get exercising to get fit and healthy, but he just goes to the extra mile with carrying weighs, one hand push ups and all those physically challenging routine. It's like he's preparing to enter a bodybuilding competition.

Zack just looks like an ordinary guy. He isn't lanky nor is he fat. He's not too tall nor too short. He's just right, you know? 

Anyways, I finally figured something out for our anniversary. With 3 tubes of glue, a whole bunch of papers and all of my free time, I handmade his gift. I made a collage of all our pictures together and its all glued to a board. I printed all the pictures from my phone and laptops and I barely had enough.

And all of this is all on me. I did it myself. Zack offered to help, but I told him that these things just need to be done alone.

3 days stand between us and our anniversary and I have mixed feelings about it. I'm excited yet nervous at the same time.

Josh is quite a hard guy to please. For our first anniversary, I really didn't know what to get him. So, I just bought him chocolates, multiple array of them, from Cadbury right down to Hershey's. I had to use most of my piggy bank money to buy his present at time, but I didn't mind. It was for Josh, anyways. Moreover, I thought you could never go wrong when it comes to chocolate.

But who knew you actually can.

He wasn't really impressed with my gift but he still took it with a heavy heart, I guess.

So, now you understand why I'm nervous, right?

Knock, Knock.

Zack and I instantly exchanged looks, thinking of the same thing.

Who could that be?

Zack took the lead by answering the door since my fingers were still sticky with the glue.

"Hey, Mad- Oh, um, hello." 

Just by the voice itself, I could tell that it was Bree. One of my friends.

"Hello, I'm Zack." Zack introduced himself, extending his arm, being all friendly.

"Nice to meet you, Zack. I'm Brianna. But you can just call me Bree. Um, is Madison in?" Bree responds, extending her hand to shake Zack's.

"Hey, Bree! Come on in," I piped up.

Zack stepped away to let Bree in, before closing the door behind her.

"Aww, that's so sweet! Is that for your boyfriend?" Bree squeal as she lay her eyes upon my recently finished art.

"Yeah, Our anniversary, is this Friday." I state, slightly shy.

"Aww. Oh yeah, regarding this Friday, there's gonna be a party down at the main hall. It's at 7."

Why must it be a Friday? This Friday? I've been having some craving to go to parties. I've been bored beyond belief of staring at the same beige walls, the wooden tiled floors, the grey door every single day and school has started to get tough. I need a medium to let out all this pressure.

I need a night out with my friends.

"That's nice, Bree. But I can't go."

"Oh come on, you sour puss! They'll be boys there." she adds, winking

I shot a puzzled look towards Bree.

"Bree, I have a boyfriend. I don't need to mingle around them. I'm happy with Josh." I stated, my tone rather defensive.

"Oh come on, Madison! I was just kidding! Don't take it to personally." Bree cites.

"Sorry,"

"But seriously, Madison. You should go. Everyone's gonna be there. You'll be missing out on the fun."

"I know, but it's just our anniversary this Friday, I just don't feel like I should be having the time of my life when my other half isn't here. Moreover, he told me to wait near the campus's gate."

"Did he tell you what time you are suppose to wait there?"

"No... but-"

"No buts Madison. There's a loop hole in his plan. What if he only shows up at 10 or 9? You better be spending your time wisely, having fun waiting for him than waiting there near the gates, so boringly, standing there like a pole."

"You should go, Let some steam out." Zack retorts, aiding Bree in her pursuit of making me go to the party.

She is not going to let this go, is she? She's gonna be like fly, swarming over me until I give her the answer she desires.

"Hey, you're invited too, Zack." Bree states, nudging him on the ribs, with a flirtatious tone.

"Really?" Zack cites, his faces alights like a thousand million bulbs.

"Yes." Bree responds, with a wink.

"Thanks," Zack states, going the extra mile in giving Bree a hug.

Bree's cheeks instantly blazed like huge red juicy tomatoes.

Could Bree actually like Zack?

Talk about love at first sight. Now, that was fast.

I don't really find that surprising. I'm much surprised by the instantaneous liking.

But then again...

Nah.

 Zack is hot and charming. Heck, if I didn't have my Josh, I would probably fall for him. But that would be weird, wouldn't it? Falling for your room mate? 

But I'm still having second  thought about going this party.

What if Josh arrives here early?

What if I never show up and stood him up?

What would he think if that actually happened?

Josh isn't the most happiest talking to me now ever since I told him that Zack was my room mate. But I held that fact from Zack's knowledge. I didn't want to hurt Zack's feelings. Zack's a nice guy. Which just cause me to wonder again, what's so wrong about Zack being my room mate? It's not like I'm gonna cheat on Josh with Zack.

But...

I guess it's alright to go, right? 

I mean, I do need the break from all this studying and school.

No harm done, I guess.